Blazing building collapses in Sao Paulo, 1 dead, 3 missing

In this photo released by Sao Paulo Fire Department, a building on fire is seen in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Tuesday, May 1, 2018. A burning building in downtown Sao Paulo has collapsed as firefighters worked to put out a fire that began in the middle of the night. (Sao Paulo Fire Department via AP)

A 26-floor building engulfed in flames collapsed in the center of Brazil's largest city early on Tuesday and firemen said at least one person was killed as he was being rescued, Globo TV reported.

Television images showed the horrifying moment when a fireman tried to reach the man clinging to the building as it went down more than one hour after the fire started.

Firemen continued to fight the fire that spread to an adjacent building that had been evacuated and was not in danger of collapsing, Sao Paulo Fire Brigade Lieutenant André Elias told Globo TV.

The fireman said the cause of the fire on the sixth-floor was still unknown and there could be more victims. Three people are still unaccounted for, he said.

The abandoned former office building had been occupied irregularly seven years ago and some 150 people lived in the lower 10 floors, Globo reported.